Old company unveils new corporate logo

One of Malta's oldest companies, P. Cutajar & Co Ltd, yesterday launched a new corporate logo, which, in the words of its chief executive, Tony Zammit Cutajar, is more in keeping with the times.

Mr Zammit Cutajar pointed out that "Malta" was included in the new logo because the company, which has been in business since the mid 19th century, also sees a future outside the island. And since the company is proud of its longevity, it also decided to add its launch date of 1865 in the new logo.

This was the third rebranding exercise since the company's launch, the first taking place in the 1970s and the second about 10 years ago, Mr Zammit Cutajar said.

P. Cutajar & Co Ltd saw its beginnings in 1861 as the brainchild of Paul Cutajar who, aged just 17 years, started a trading business from his Valletta residence importing wheat and cereals.

He also bought a steamer to trade coal. Four years later, as the business grew, Mr Cutajar adopted the name the company still uses today.

In the 1880s, Mr Cutajar signed two distribution agreements, one with Martini and Rossi and a second with Benedictine, which are still in force. When Mr Cutajar died in 1897, the business was inherited by his nephew, Arthur Zammit Cutajar.

A new distribution agreement was signed with Dewar's White Label Scotch Whiskey in 1905.

By 1913, the company was the largest steamship agent on the island.

Although most people will associate P. Cutajar & Co Ltd with photography, it was not until 1937, just before the start of World War II, that an agreement was signed with Eastman Kodak.

When Arthur Zammit Cutajar died in 1958, his three sons became the first directors of the firm, which was turned into a limited liability company.

Since then it has added a number of global brands, including cameras, chocolates, coffee, alcohol and mineral water to its portfolio, with its last venture being the sunglasses shops.